In the last five years, more than a million jobs have been lost in the United States, many of them due to the closure of plants, factories, or downsizing in shrinking companies. Millions more people have lost their jobs due to being fired, restructuring, or mergers in major corporations. Many thousands more are expected to lose their jobs in the year to come and that leads many to wonder what rights and benefits they have to help them recuperate and get back on their feet. This comprehensive guide to the laws and benefits provided to those individuals who have lost their jobs, for whatever reason, will help you discover exactly what you can do to ensure you have the resources you need to salvage your life and your career after losing a job.A complete listing of the requirements your employer is bound to and the legal implications of your particular situation will be provided in multiple chapters broken down to reflect the various situations in which you lost your job. If you were laid off due to a factory closing, you will be given advice on how much of your retirement benefits you are entitled to, how much notice your employer is legally required to provide you (as per the WARN act), and what you can do in the final 60 days to shore up future employment. If your company downsizes, you will be given detailed descriptions of the laws that apply to your workplace according to where you work and how long you have worked there. You will learn what opportunities the federal government provides to those who have lost their jobs, including unemployment benefits and welfare coverage. You will also learn about how you can take advantage of additional workforce training to further your technical skills. You will learn how to handle your taxes while unemployed. You will learn how to know if your firing was legal and if you have a legal basis to reproach your company for laying you off. If you were unfairly terminated, you will be shown how you can approach an attorney and what you need to provide to win your case.Finally, you will be shown which resources and tools are available to help you get back on your feet, finding a new job that utilizes your skills and training. You will learn how you can modernize your skill set with additional training, seek out hiring services, and supplement your income between jobs with temporary or part-time opportunities. Hours of expert opinions have been gathered into this book from hiring managers, employment lawyers, and other experts in the field to help you know exactly what rights you have and what you can do to recover. If you have been laid off, fired, or unfairly terminated, this book will provide you with everything you need to minimize the stress and suffering of your situation and get back on your feet in no time.